CAMPAIGNERS against the siting of the proposed Darwen Academy at Redearth Road were today told by councillors: "We will listen to you."

More than 500 residents and traders from Darwen signed a petition against the initial plans which was was last week handed in to the council at Blackburn Town Hall.

They objected to the academy being built on the Redearth triangle on various issues including increased traffic and congestion through the town centre, the loss of valuable shopping facilities and the unsuitability of the site for a school of this size.

Today Darwen Councillor Dave Hollings, portfolio holder for education and lifelong learning, said their views would be considered. He said: "The council will consider this petition before it makes its final decision on the outline planning application.

"I haven't seen the petition yet. It all depends on whether the petition objects on official planning grounds and if it is one single petition it would be classed as one objection.

I believe most people in Darwen want the finest school in East Lancashire to be built in Darwen and want the investment to come here. I think it's a shame some people don't want the town to benefit from this but their objections will be listened to."

But resident Christine Oldfield, of Redearth Street, said: "We are hoping it will be classed as 500 objections rather than one because there is an individual signature on each letter rather than just a list of names.

"The petition is not against the academy itself but against the proposed location. A lot of people we spoke to thought the academy was a good idea but signed the petition because they didn't agree with the site.

We hope our concerns will be taken into account and that they are valid planning reasons."

A campaign was also launched last month, by the Darwen Local History Society, to protect 150-year-old graves on the site earmarked for the proposed Darwen Academy.

The burial ground of Darwen's first Primitive Methodist Church was built in Redearth Road in the 1800s.

It is hoped the academy, sponsored by the Rodney Aldridge Charitable Trust, will replace the failing Moorland High School.

These "super schools" aim to raise standards by drawing on the resources and expertise of sponsors from the voluntary and business sector.

Outline plans were submitted for a three-storey school built around a large atrium, with tennis courts and a sports hall included on the site.

A second site has been proposed, on an open area between Sough Road, Pole Lane and Priory Drive, which will include playing fields and pitches.